Skullcap, (Scutellaria lateriflora) Cut and Sifted Bulk

Family

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Etymology

The genus name Scutellaria and common name skullcap derive from the Latin scutella, "little dish," in reference to the plant's inverted calyx cup, which looks like a helmet with its visor raised, and also somewhat like a skull. The common name mad dog weed resulted from the plant's use by a Dr. Vanderveer in the 1700s to treat people who had been bitten by rabid dogs.

Range of Appearance

Skullcap, a perennial native to North America and Eurasia, grows from 1 to 3 feet tall and has a square stem. The leaves are lance shaped, opposite, 1 to 3 inches long, and coarsely serrated. The hermaphroditic, pale blue flowers are tubular with a two-lipped, hooded corolla; they grow paired on spikelike, one-sided racemes from the leaf axils.

Parts Used

Aboveground plant

Physiological Effects

Anaphrodisiac, anodyne, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antivenomous, astringent, bitter, brain tonic, cardiotonic, cerebral vasodilator, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine, nervous system tonic, restorative, sedative, spinal cord tonic, stomachic

Medicinal Uses

Native Americans and early European settlers used skullcap as a treatment for malaria when quinine was not available. It was included in the United States Formulary from 1863 until 1916. Skullcap calms and strengthens the nerves, relaxes spasms, relieves pain, and promotes rest. It can help rebuild nerve sheaths. One of its constituents, scutellarin, is transformed in the body into scutellarein, which helps stimulate the brain to produce more endorphins. Skullcap is used to treat addiction, alcoholism, anger, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, chorea, convulsions, delirium, dysmenorrhea, emotional upset, epilepsy, excessive libido, fear, headache, hiccups, high cholesterol, hypertension, hysteria, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, muscle cramps, nervous exhaustion, nervous stomach, neuralgia, pain, palsy, panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, premenstrual syndrome, restlessness, rheumatism, spasms, tremors, and withdrawal symptoms (from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco). Skullcap works best when given over a period of time. It loses its properties more quickly than many herbs; herb stock that is more than a year old is not likely to have much therapeutic value.

Culinary Uses

None reported.

Other Uses

In folkloric tradition, women wear skullcap to keep their husbands from being charmed by other women.

Constituents

B vitamins, pangamic acid, calcium, potassium, silicon, flavonoids (scutellarin), lignan, tannin, essential oil, scutellonin, bitter (scutellaine), palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, phenols, tannin

Contraindications

Avoid during pregnancy. Large doses may cause confusion and giddiness.

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

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